A Sly Charm Offensive.but "there's a steel fist inside"

[rodeodance]

yup--this bunch generally gets what they want. Beware!!



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7244231/site/newsweek/

A Sly Charm Offensive
Can burgers and bull sessions change Social Security?

By Holly Bailey, Richard Wolffe and Tamara Lipper
Newsweek

March 28 issue - The talk was small for Dick Cheney: the virtues of duck-hunting, the recent renovation of his mansion and the history of conservatism in Congress. Yet the reception for 40 members of the conservative Republican Study Committee was also unusually personal for the veep. Munching on mini-cheeseburgers in his official residence, Cheney chatted with small groups of lawmakers, saying he understood their position—after all, he was once a member of the RSC when he served in the House. "It was very casual," says Kevin Brady, a five-term Texas Republican, "or as casual as you can be at the vice president's house." Casual enough for some frank talk about Social Security—what one guest called the elephant in the room. One lawmaker bluntly told the veep the party wouldn't support lifting the cap on payroll taxes. Others warned of the budget-busting cost of the transition to private accounts. Cheney, on the verge of his own town-hall-style sessions, listened carefully. "We still have a long way to go," he reassured his nervous guests.......


........Behind the highly public campaign of presidential roadshows and TV ads, the administration is staging a private sales pitch to a much more exclusive audience. Bush himself has invited small groups of GOP lawmakers to the family sitting room in the White House residence—a quiet chance to impress on them how personally committed he is to fixing Social Security this year. For a White House better known for treating Congress like ground troops, not generals, it's a striking charm offensive. Bush's aides declare their burning desire to listen to all opinions (no matter how disagreeable), and note down advice on how to speak about Social Security...........

.....That doesn't mean the softball tactics are here to stay. After their Easter recess, congressional Republicans expect to shift from defining the problem to identifying solutions. That's when the political heat on both parties will start to rise. "There's a growing recognition that this is a big issue and both parties will be rewarded if they address it," says Rove, "and people who obstruct a solution will be punished by voters." In other words, enjoy the velvet glove, but don't forget there's a steel fist inside.